‘Bribe only those who will stay bribed’ so says Rudolph Giuliani, in his book ‘Leadership’. This is just one of a feast of intriguing leadership insights that the previous Mayor of New York shares in his book. The book is being cited as the potential Christmas best seller from the business/leadership section - though having just read it I am not sure that it should be there. In truth this is a book of three stories.

Firstly, it is the biographical story of a leader. We hear stories of the young ‘street fighter’ Giuliani, who at a very early age learnt life’s important lesson about standing up to bullies. This he shares in graphic detail, giving us insight into the dual standard around discipline that many families have from his parents. He talks of his first legal job with a federal judge who engendered intense loyalty from those who worked for him, largely because of the loyalty he showed them. He speaks honestly and candidly about the breakdown of his marriage and the pressure that brought upon his leadership and he speaks much about his leadership journey through the tragedy of 9/11.

Secondly, it is the historical story of a city. For New Yorkers, and those of us who love the city, it gives clear insight into the process of urban regeneration that transformed NY to its current greatness. His anchor illustrations, though at times overly self-congratulatory, come from the different challenges that had to be faced in turning the murder capital of America into a city where people weren’t just safe but actually felt safe. He outlines the ‘Broken Window’ philosophy that was so foundational in the transformation as it manifested itself in many different ways. Basically, it was all about ‘sweating the small stuff’ on crime and anti-social behaviour. It truly transformed the city and is currently being considered as an answer to some of the challenges of South America’s cities.

Thirdly, it is the tragic story of 9/11. He and his co-writer manage to put a very human face on a remarkable model of leadership during an incredibly testing time. There is a vulnerability about some of the narrative that is in stark contrast to the stern Giuliani that some had come to love and others despise. What strikes you about the different cameos is that it is normally focussed around the dynamics of human interaction, the thoughts and feelings he and others had when thinking of how to deal with the unthinkable. Giuliani records for us, what became the quotable quote of that moment of American history that will shape part of its personality for many years to come. When responding to a question about how many had died, he replied ‘When we get the final number, it will be more than we can bear’.

This is probably a must read for those New Yorkers who vote Republican and support the NY Yankees baseball team. For the rest of us (particularly us English folks) we will have to work a bit harder. Guliani is not a leader about whom people are normally ambivalent. You either love him or loathe him. However I think it would be wise to suspend judgement until you have read it.

Guliani is like every one of us who are leaders. He has a personal story that has helped shape the leader he became. It is not all defining, for as leaders we must always remember that ‘our start is not our story’. He has a professional story that has provided the anvil upon which his leadership style and personality has primarily been shaped. Then he has a particular story. The record of those formative events and moments within which he marks out his place in the history of people’s lives.

All of us share these stories and so all of us can learn from this man. He certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but then again most of his compatriots drink coffee.

‘Leadership’ by Robert Giuliani, published by Little, Brown.

Phil Wall
CEO